New battery '97 Xantia estate - alarm flashes constantly

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Jim Burton
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New battery '97 Xantia estate - alarm flashes constantly

Post by Jim Burton »

Hi Guys, been a while (lost my password when site redesigned).

Here's the thing, my Xantia estate has been sitting, doing nothing all summer and autumn, and I thought I'd better put it in the garage for the winter.
Of course, the battery was well flat, so I put it on charge, but it was too far gone and will need renewing.
Just to move the car, I took a new battery from my other vehicle and put it in the estate as a temporary measure. I was prepared for the alarm to go off, but as I had long ago disabled the siren due to the well known estate rear door syndrome :roll: and so only a brief click and headlights flashing.
I entered the code and pressed the alarm over-ride button and started the car first time. All good, ticking over like a good 'un as I warm it up. Suddenly the headlights start flashing again, and pressing the over-ride button did no good. They stopped after maybe 30 seconds and then some minutes later, started up flashing again.
What to do? I stopped the engine, shut all doors securely, armed the alarm, then dis-armed the alarm, unlocked the car, got in, started it, and the whole performance started again. Headlights flashing on a cycle of 30 seconds then minutes later flashing again. :?
It occurs to me that this potentially renders the car undriveable unless I can stop the flashing.

Any ideas?
1996 Xantia LX estate 1761cc petrol - mine since 1998...
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Re: New battery '97 Xantia estate - alarm flashes constantly

Post by robert_e_smart »

Disconnect the battery, with the doors shut and the plip in your hand.

Now connect the battery, arm and disarm the alarm with the plip, and you should get in without the lights flashing.
1990 XM 2.1 Turbo SD
1991 BX 16 TGS Auto
1992 ZX 1.6 Aura Auto
1994 Xantia 2.0 16V VSX
2008 C5 2.7 Exclusive
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Jim Burton
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Re: New battery '97 Xantia estate - alarm flashes constantly

Post by Jim Burton »

Robert, I thank you. (That's quite a collection you've got there!)
I'll give your tip a go next time I'm at the house.
1996 Xantia LX estate 1761cc petrol - mine since 1998...
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Re: New battery '97 Xantia estate - alarm flashes constantly

Post by xantia_v6 »

If that does not work, I would suspect moisture in the alarm ECU which sits under the passenger seat.
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Re: New battery '97 Xantia estate - alarm flashes constantly

Post by citroenxm »

It should work, thats the standard procedure...

OR so Ive learnt recently, open the drivers door, disconnect the battery, put the key IN and turn the ignition to ON with all the dash lights on... IE Second position... and reconnect the battery... If the indicators flash rapidly the alarm is now reset and you should NOT have any more lights flashing...

Your lucky its only the lights, the Alarm sounder should also be sounding aswell!! But like most its either switched off, or not working anymore.

Paul
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Re: New battery '97 Xantia estate - alarm flashes constantly

Post by robert_e_smart »

Jim Burton wrote:Robert, I thank you. (That's quite a collection you've got there!)
I'll give your tip a go next time I'm at the house.
Feel free to relieve me of some of them Jim :lol: (seriously!)
1990 XM 2.1 Turbo SD
1991 BX 16 TGS Auto
1992 ZX 1.6 Aura Auto
1994 Xantia 2.0 16V VSX
2008 C5 2.7 Exclusive
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2010 Peugeot 207 SW 1.6 8v HDi 161k and rising
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Re: New battery '97 Xantia estate - alarm flashes constantly

Post by citroenxm »

Bagsey the 1990 2.1 SD Turbo Manual :-D :) :lol: :-D :-D :-D :-D


Paul
Sharing a pug 207 1.6 hdi Sw 16v.
M reg Xm 2.1 td auto exclusive S2 269k and rising
L reg XM V6 12v SEi auto .. Light project

A very sad...
1994 XM 2.1 d auto
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Re: New battery '97 Xantia estate - alarm flashes constantly

Post by robert_e_smart »

citroenxm wrote:Bagsey the 1990 2.1 SD Turbo Manual :-D :) :lol: :-D :-D :-D :-D


Paul

Nae chance!!! :-D :-D :-D :-D :-D :lol: :lol: :lol:
1990 XM 2.1 Turbo SD
1991 BX 16 TGS Auto
1992 ZX 1.6 Aura Auto
1994 Xantia 2.0 16V VSX
2008 C5 2.7 Exclusive
citroenxm
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Joined: 30 Dec 2004, 23:10
Location: Somewhere in North Wales, Anglesey
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L 94 XM 2.1 TD auto total resto

2008 Peugeot 207 Sw 1.6 16v hdi. 217k and rising
2010 Peugeot 207 SW 1.6 8v HDi 161k and rising
x 71

Re: New battery '97 Xantia estate - alarm flashes constantly

Post by citroenxm »

Haha worth a try.. Dont blame you robert.. I hope my 1991 sed will eventually be as good and nice as yours.. ;-) :-)

Paul
Sharing a pug 207 1.6 hdi Sw 16v.
M reg Xm 2.1 td auto exclusive S2 269k and rising
L reg XM V6 12v SEi auto .. Light project

A very sad...
1994 XM 2.1 d auto
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Re: New battery '97 Xantia estate - alarm flashes constantly

Post by CitroJim »

Jim Burton wrote:Robert, I thank you. (That's quite a collection you've got there!)
It's a collection deficient in one thing though - an Activa :wink:
xantia_v6 wrote:I would suspect moisture in the alarm ECU which sits under the passenger seat.
Good point :) Been there. I once bought an Activa that was pretending to be a swimming pool. Oddly, I found the alarm module in the boot. It had been removed, presumably because of the same problem. I carefully dried it out, stopped the leaks and repaired some damaged wiring in the multi plug under the passenger footwell carpet and all was then good. You just can't bin the alarm module as it also controls the interior lights.

All this assumes a MK1 Xantia. In a MK2 the alarm is integral with the CPH and in a much better protected position. If it gets damp then you really have problems...
Jim

Runner, cyclist, time triallist, duathlete, Citroen AX fan and the CCC Citroenian 'From A to Z' Columnist...
robert_e_smart
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Re: New battery '97 Xantia estate - alarm flashes constantly

Post by robert_e_smart »

CitroJim wrote:
Jim Burton wrote:Robert, I thank you. (That's quite a collection you've got there!)
It's a collection deficient in one thing though - an Activa :wink:
:lol: :lol:

Nah a GS or GSA and a nice Xantia sinker would be the ticket! :wink: :wink: :wink:
1990 XM 2.1 Turbo SD
1991 BX 16 TGS Auto
1992 ZX 1.6 Aura Auto
1994 Xantia 2.0 16V VSX
2008 C5 2.7 Exclusive
citroenxm
Posts: 8061
Joined: 30 Dec 2004, 23:10
Location: Somewhere in North Wales, Anglesey
My Cars: M reg Xm S2 2.1td Auto Exclusive. 269k and rising
L reg XM S1 V6 12v Manual SEi
L 94 XM 2.1 TD auto total resto

2008 Peugeot 207 Sw 1.6 16v hdi. 217k and rising
2010 Peugeot 207 SW 1.6 8v HDi 161k and rising
x 71

Re: New battery '97 Xantia estate - alarm flashes constantly

Post by citroenxm »

Agreed.. Nothing worse then a Crappy activa.. With thirsty noisy Two litre engines to leaky rams i couldnt think of anything worse.. Id sooner a v6 which is better on fuel or an original Sinker td...

Paul
Sharing a pug 207 1.6 hdi Sw 16v.
M reg Xm 2.1 td auto exclusive S2 269k and rising
L reg XM V6 12v SEi auto .. Light project

A very sad...
1994 XM 2.1 d auto
User avatar
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x 6183
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Re: New battery '97 Xantia estate - alarm flashes constantly

Post by CitroJim »

citroenxm wrote: Nothing worse then a Crappy activa..
True but a well sorted Activa is something else...
Jim

Runner, cyclist, time triallist, duathlete, Citroen AX fan and the CCC Citroenian 'From A to Z' Columnist...
robert_e_smart
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Re: New battery '97 Xantia estate - alarm flashes constantly

Post by robert_e_smart »

CitroJim wrote:
citroenxm wrote: Nothing worse then a Crappy activa..
True but a well sorted Activa is something else...

Is it?????????!! :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

Rocking horse crap??
1990 XM 2.1 Turbo SD
1991 BX 16 TGS Auto
1992 ZX 1.6 Aura Auto
1994 Xantia 2.0 16V VSX
2008 C5 2.7 Exclusive
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